Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Are They?How They WorkConditions They TreatRisksCheck With Your Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Are They?
How They Work
Conditions They Treat
Risks
Check With Your Healthcare Provider
Skin lightening creams, also known as skin brightening creams, are designed to lighten skin color. The creams are often used to spot-treat dark areas of the skin, such as age spots or acne scars. They are sometimes used to lighten the complexion overall.
While these creams can be prescribed for specific skin conditions, they can have side effects. The risks can be serious, especially with over-the-counter creams that may not be tested for safety.
This article discusses how skin lightening creams work. It also covers the conditions they can treat and the risks of using them.
NickyLloyd / Getty Images
What Are Skin Lightening Creams?
Skin lightening products can come in the form of creams, lotions, oils, and serums. Creams and oils are usually heavier and better for dry skin. If your skin tends to be on the oily side, you may want to opt for a lighter serum. Your dermatologist can advise you on which kind is best for your skin type.
Several varieties of skin lightening creams are available online and over the counter (OTC). However, it’s best to talk with your healthcare provider before using skin lightening creams. Prescription products are regularly tested for safety and efficacy, unlike OTC products, which could contain dangerous ingredients.
What Is Skin Pigmentation?
How Do Skin Lightening Creams Work?
Many skin lightening creams contain hydroquinone, which is known to decrease melanocytes.
Vitamin C, also a common ingredient in skin lightening creams, is an antioxidant that is known to lower melanin production in our cells.
What Does Vitamin C Do for Your Skin?
What Skin Conditions Do Skin Lightening Creams Treat?
Skin lightening creams may be used for various conditions that cause discoloration. These include:
Melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) are both conditions that cause dark, blotchy areas. Common areas include parts exposed to the sun, like the forehead and cheeks.
There are manyskin-lightening treatmentsavailable to treatmelasma. These include hydroquinone, tretinoin with a corticosteroid, triple combination cream, azelaic acid, vitamin C, and kojic acid. Some creams require a prescription.
PIH leads to a darker complexion in areas inflamed because of injury to the skin. For example, scarring may cause darker areas, or severe acne can leave dark spots after it resolves.
Hormonal imbalances and endocrine conditions likeAddison’s diseasecan also lead to darkening of the skin.
With Addison’s disease, the adrenal gland doesn’t produce enough of certain hormones. Those with Addison’s disease produce a high level ofadrenocorticotropichormone, which stimulates the melanocytes to produce more melanin, resulting in skin darkening.
Skin Lightening Cream vs. Makeup
Brightening makeup foundations and concealers work on the skin’s surface, but—unlike bleaching products—do not affect how much melanin the skin cells are producing. As soon as the makeup is washed off, your skin will return to its natural color.
It’s unclear how long the effects of skin lightening creams last. However, extended use carries serious risks (see below).
Risks of Skin Lightening Creams
Hydroquinone has been linked toexogenous ochronosis, a disorder that makes the skin appear black and blue. This condition is difficult to treat and can result in permanent skin discoloration. Discoloration may be more common when applying hydroquinone over a large skin area or in higher concentrations.
Because many skin lightening creams contain corticosteroids,steroid acneis also a possible side effect.It can also lead to skin breakdown and leave users with open sores and scarring.
Milder side effects have also been reported, including dermatitis and skin irritation.
Skin Bleaching Has Roots in PrejudiceA deeply negative side to skin lightening creams is that they can be used to promote or perpetuate colorism. Colorism refers to the belief that lighter skin is better and more beautiful than darker skin.Women around the globe have felt pressure to use these sometimes-dangerous products in order to avoid prejudice and gain privilege in certain cultures.
Skin Bleaching Has Roots in Prejudice
A deeply negative side to skin lightening creams is that they can be used to promote or perpetuate colorism. Colorism refers to the belief that lighter skin is better and more beautiful than darker skin.Women around the globe have felt pressure to use these sometimes-dangerous products in order to avoid prejudice and gain privilege in certain cultures.
A deeply negative side to skin lightening creams is that they can be used to promote or perpetuate colorism. Colorism refers to the belief that lighter skin is better and more beautiful than darker skin.
Women around the globe have felt pressure to use these sometimes-dangerous products in order to avoid prejudice and gain privilege in certain cultures.
Mercury Poisoning
Mercury is a heavy metal that is toxic even in small amounts. The FDA has limited the amount of mercury in cosmetic products to trace amounts not exceeding 1 part per million (ppm).
However, in a 2014 study, researchers tested 549 skin lightening products for their mercury content. They found that 6% contained mercury levels above 1,000 ppm, while some had mercury levels as high as 10,000 ppm. Of the U.S. products, 3.3% had mercury levels over 1,000 ppm.
Though products from the United States were somewhat safe, it can be difficult to determine the country of origin of products purchased online.
Avoid any product with mercury as an ingredient. Look for: “Hg” (the chemical symbol for mercury) or the word “mercury,” mercuric iodide, mercuric chloride, mercurous chloride, ammoniated mercury, calomel, mercurio, amide chloride of mercury, or mercury oxide.
Being exposed to mercury over time can cause symptoms like:
More severe symptoms include:
Mercury: Medical CautionsMercury poisoningrequires immediate medical attention.If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and use a mercury-containing skin lightener, mercury can be passed to your child.
Mercury: Medical Cautions
Mercury poisoningrequires immediate medical attention.If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and use a mercury-containing skin lightener, mercury can be passed to your child.
Mercury exposure can also cause kidney damage over time. Users of skin brightening products have been diagnosed withnephrotic syndromeafter using the cream for months.Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder that causes the body to excrete too much protein in the urine.
Symptoms of nephrotic syndrome include:
Nephrotic syndrome is treatable, however, and will resolve once the mercury exposure stops.
More research is needed to determine the long-term effects of using skin-lightening products. The chemicals in skin lightening creams have not been studied over long periods, so it’s unknown if they will lead to long-term conditions.
Skin Cancer
The use of skin lightening products over long periods has been linked to an increased risk of skin cancer, particularlysquamous cell carcinoma (SCC).When using lightening products, always applysunscreen.
Sunscreen 101: A Complete Guide to Avoiding Sunburns
If you are being treated for any medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, always check with your healthcare provider before using any skin lightening product.
If you suspect that you have been exposed to mercury (especially over a long period), or havesymptoms of mercury poisoning, consult your healthcare provider.
Alternatives to Skin Lightening CreamsIf you are interested in alternative skin lightening methods, speak with a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon to learn more about other options such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser treatments, and microneedling.
Alternatives to Skin Lightening Creams
If you are interested in alternative skin lightening methods, speak with a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon to learn more about other options such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser treatments, and microneedling.
Summary
Skin lightening creams may be used to spot-treat dark areas of the skin or lighten skin overall. They may be prescribed for specific skin conditions, such as melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
However, these creams can have serious side effects. Those with hydroquinone can cause a disorder called exogenous ochronosis, which causes the skin to become black and blue. Some skin lightening creams may contain mercury, which can lead to mercury poisoning or a kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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